Rockets Revamp Backcourt in 2021 NBA Re-Draft
In an alternate reality shaped by talent evaluation, the Houston Rockets find themselves with a newly envisioned backcourt in Bleacher Report’s recent 2021 NBA re-draft. The team, which originally selected Jalen Green second overall, would instead secure Cade Cunningham, an All-Star point guard, alongside Cam Thomas, one of the league’s premier isolation scorers.
The Impact of the 2021 Draft
The 2021 NBA Draft is already being hailed as one of the most impactful in recent memory. This class has produced four All-Stars, with the potential for more to emerge. For the Rockets, their selections have played pivotal roles in the franchise’s trajectory. Green, despite being traded this offseason, showcased his value by helping Houston achieve an impressive 52-win season, and he was integral in the acquisition of superstar Kevin Durant this summer.
At the 16th pick, the Rockets found a gem in Alperen Sengun, who has quickly established himself as a franchise cornerstone. The Turkish center has made waves in the league, boasting an impressive stat line of 22.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game this season. His versatility on the court has solidified his status as an emerging star.
A New Draft Order
However, what if the draft had awarded selections based purely on current talent? In this re-imagined draft scenario, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report restructured the picks, altering the Rockets’ fortunes significantly. Instead of selecting Green and Sengun, Houston would take Cunningham with the second overall pick.
Cunningham, who previously played for the Detroit Pistons, averaged an impressive 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists last season, reinvigorating a struggling franchise. Favale noted, “Cunningham’s development as a scorer, transition-pusher and defender entrenches him as one of the NBA’s most promising cornerstones. Dynamic size like his verges on generational.”
Adding Cam Thomas
With their 16th pick, Houston would then add Cam Thomas, currently making waves with the Brooklyn Nets. The 23-year-old shooting guard has emerged as one of the league’s elite isolation scorers, averaging 21.4 points per game this season. While concerns around his efficiency and playmaking have lingered, his shot creation remains undeniable. Favale commented, “Cam Thomas falls squarely into the Jalen Green bucket: a high-volume scorer whose value fluctuates wildly from person to person. The square-one shot-creation and -making is legitimate.”
A Different Future for the Rockets
Imagining this re-draft raises intriguing questions about the Rockets’ current and future direction. Would the franchise still have pursued the trade for Durant? Could Cunningham propel the team out of the lower ranks as he has done with Detroit? Furthermore, how would Thomas’s scoring prowess mesh with Ime Udoka’s defensive-oriented system?
As the NBA landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this hypothetical re-draft remind us how crucial talent acquisition is in shaping a franchise’s destiny. The Rockets, with a new backcourt of Cunningham and Thomas, could represent a markedly different era in Houston basketball.
